A New Day Dawns: "Can't Catch A Break!" The Trailer #spinoff

A New Day Dawns: "Can't Catch A Break!" The Trailer #spinoff #cookingshow

Starring

Broc Wallis as Barista Nate

Noah Fitterer as Nate Fisher

West Christy as Bodhi Bliss

Sarah Perle as Natasha

&

A Surprise Return

Laura's Dilemma #spinoff #nateandlauraland #shortfilms

Save the date! Premieres this Sunday at 7 pm!

Forced on her own, Laura faces her biggest challenge.

Filmed & Directed by Lia Elizabeth Rose Dugal

With music design by Lia Elizabeth Rose Dugal, Looperman, & DJ Michael J. Hearne

https://www.looperman.com/

https://soundcloud.com/annoyingdj

Nate & Laura & How They Met Season Two Theme Song Remix #djmichaeljhearne

Check out this cool remix that my good friend, DJ Michael J Hearne made for Nate & Laura & How They Met's season two soundtrack,

"Shine With The Sun".  

Write Funny: Night Court Of Life Lessons Chapter Seven

 

How To Write Funny

As I have been reflecting upon the different lessons gleaned from my Night Court fandom by re-watching the series from start to finish, I now realize how much of my creativity, in this instance 'script-writing', has been affected by the comedic writing of Night Court.  The rapid fire back and forth dialogue that never missed a beat, the absurd twists and turns that never failed to surprise as the story unfolded, all have shaped how I express my wordings in the telling of my stories.

Over the last few years, I have been busily working in the post-production land editing video content for my continuing Doctor Who fan-fiction series, TimeSick.  Truth be told, this is quite a daunting task and one of which in the past I have often found myself wondering why I am the one always to do such heavy duty.  However, over the  last few years, I have felt an immense sense of gratitude for this work  has enabled me to learn and develop new skills as well as to realize my talent.  

TimeSick follows the time-lords and time-ladies of Gallifrey upon their home planet and beyond as they seek to either rule the universe entirely or stop others from doing just that.  As each character pursues this journey, they meet some interesting side characters along the way that simultanously encourage and detract them from receiving their purposes through methods that leave them shaking their heads while the audience laughs along.  As I listen to the actors portray my characters and say the lines, I marvel at how natural my comedic understanding is and how strong the influence from my younger years watching Night Court after school in my parents' basement.  I used to credit the actors for infusing their natural comedic timing within the context of my story, which is valid, but the problem was I never allowed myself to value my input and truly embrace my self worth.

TimeKeys Fan Fiction

Nate&Laura&HowTheyMet

In addition to TimeSick, I wrote the first season of the original webseries, "Nate & Laura & How They Met", in which the rough draft was written a little everyday before heading to work.  The impetus to write that was based on watching Netflix sitcoms as well as building on the relationship woes between myself and my friends.   From that, we have two seasons under our belt and are now at work writing, editing, re-writing season three.  I marvel in wonderment at the progression of my sweet little story but once again am blown away by my comedic sensibilities within storytelling.  

Once again, the infamous song lyric comes to mind: 

"Everything comes back to you (Night Court)".

You're still the one I run to

The one that I belong to

You're still the one I want for life

(You're still the one)

You're still the one that I love

The only one I dream of

You're Still The One

Enjoy The Soundtrack of Nate & Laura Season Two

Purchase CD at https://py.pl/6R6AmRNwyMG $5 plus shipping. Proceeds from sales to be divided between Cafe-Girl, Inc, Jen Ambrose, Delphi Ravens, Chance Larsen, & Roywn Lucca. Soundtrack includes portions of music provided by: 1.) Shine With The Sun Instrumental--Written & Performed by Jen Ambrose 2.) Softer--Written & Performed by Rowyn Lucca 3.) Hardest Good-Bye--Written by Stephen Andrew Burgess, Performed by Delphi Ravens 4.) Pick Your Love Up Off The Ground--Written & Performed by Jen Ambrose 5.) Honesty Is Scary--Written & Performed by Rowyn Lucca 6.) Road Of Life--Written & Performed by Jen Ambrose 7.) Out Of The Shadows--Written by Chance Larsen, Performed by Jen Ambrose 8.) Shine With The Sun, Written by Jen Ambrose, Performed by Lia Rose Dugal Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc, has non-exclusive rights for this album.

Interview With An Actor, Elias Dudgeon

Interview With An Actress, Becky Durango

Interview With An Actor, Roy Von Rains, Jr

Interview With Actress, Anastasia Juliet Eismann

Interview With An Actor, Jesse Riker

Interview With Actress, Erin Jennifer Rose

Interview With Actor, Noah Fitterer

Interview With Actress, Lia Rose Dugal

Eponine Phase

 

On My Own

On my own

Pretending he's beside me

All alone

I walk with him till morning

Without him

I feel his arms around me

And when I lose my way I close my eyes

And he has found me

In the rain the pavement shines like silver

All the lights are misty in the river

In the darkness, the trees are full of starlight

And all I see is him and me forever and forever

And I know it's only in my mind

That I'm talking to myself and not to him

And although I know that he is blind

Still I say, there's a way for us

Last week, during the beginning phase of that crazy week long election storm, I sat down and created a YouTube video using songs from Les Misérables, namely "One Day More" and "Do You Hear The People Sing" to represent the revolutionary spirit felt in the air, (which led me down the rabbit hole of other YouTube songs from the musical, Les Misérables, mostly that of the character, Eponine.  

For those of you who don't know the story of Les Misérables, which originated as a book by Victor Hugo, then began a world renowned musical theatrical piece, and in recent years has been made into both musical and non musical movies, well, I'll give you the Cliff's Notes version.  The story is set basically during the French Revolution, which already we can connect with in our current crazy political landscape (am I right?), follows the protagonist, Jean Val jean, from his youth running from the law as an ex-con, on the lam and hiding in plain sight, his raising Cosette, the daughter of his employee (Fantine, we shall discuss her later), then we delve into the variety of characters who become active in the fight for their freedom from oppression, in that list, we meet our beloved girl of the day, Eponine.

Eponine's parents, Monsieur and Madame Thenardier, are not much to speak of with pride.  Together they run a tavern and are scoundrels in every sense of the word, seeking their own gain in the lowest of fashions.  During the musical number, One Day More, these two can be heard proudly conniving how they will ravage the dead fallen soldiers for what precious goodies they may find, with no remorse.  For whatever reason, they produced offspring.  In the novel, the eldest is Eponine, followed by sister, Azelma, and little brother, Gavroche.  In the play and movie, Azelma is left out.  

So, with all this known factors, Eponine is tough, raised to fend for herself first.  She is often depicted wearing a cap, boyish clothes, dirty face, and stringy hair but underneath all of that runs a deep well of emotion that is passionate and a force for good.  In the quest for love and acceptance, Eponine sacrifices her own ego and desires for the betterment of others.  See, Eponine's tragic life has one devastating blow, she is in love with a man who does not reciprocate that love, her childhood friend, Marius.  Marius falls in love before Eponine's eyes to another, that of Cosette.  Yet, Eponine does not allow the pain of this to persuade her from helping Marius or that of others.  In the tragic spectrum of her life, Eponine's strongest asset and deciding factor is her undying, unrequited love for Marius, it is in what gives her hope, perseverance, the desire to see him find happiness above all else, and in the end, peace.

I believe many a women and girl of my age and younger find deep resonance with the story of Eponine, yet she is not the main character of Les Misérables, even so, her story being a side story should not and will not be cast aside.  Throughout the tragedy of her life, Eponine in her strength demands her life to have meaning.  Thus, I come to the crux of this article.  

In the next several weeks, I seek to take a deep dive into the lessons the women of Les Misérables can teach us, Eponine, Fantine, and Cosette, the cycles we go through in our quest for both wholeness and love.  I feel that Eponine is the first in our development.  Generally, I direct my focus on the female gender but perhaps those of other genders can resonate with these thoughts.

My parents' were gracious enough to take me to see Les Misérables a couple times in San Francisco when it was in its beginning reign in the nineties.  I had listened to the cd several times and Eponine's songs on repeat.  I looked forward to with such expectancy her story, her songs, her character arc, and connected so deeply with her.  This continued throughout my twenties and into my early thirties, when even then, after a heartbreak, I would, at times, find myself walking the street at night, singing her song, On My Own.

I wasn't and am not alone in this fascination and connection with Eponine.  At the plays I have attended, I have seen the actress playing Eponine get roaring applause after her featured number, "On My Own", from the audience members of young girls.  To this day, Hollywood and the music industry carries with it the strain of unrequited love as its universal theme, showcasing the reality that love is only valid if it is connected to suffering and heartbreak.  In my younger years of teenage and twenties, I look back with fondness at this connection.  One of my college best friend's, Jamie, and I would have regular girl's nights' which featured us having drinks, eating French fries, and discussing our boy issues, only to head back to our homes, playing "Don't Know Why on repeat. 

The story line and character of Eponine, the unrequited love-sick heroine, can be found in a myriad of Hollywood and contemporary pop culture, with the likes of Jewel, Norah Jones, Natalie Imbruglia, and Taylor Swift.  Raised on the fantasy of one true love from Disney movies and distraught over the reality of relationship, we find solidarity with our Eponine sisters in sharing our struggles with our romantic partners.  The theme behind Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc's romantic comedy, Nate & Laura & How They Met, was based on this quest for love in all its variety of struggle, loss, and healing.

Eponine was the hero of my youth, of so much of my romantic inclinations of the past, as well as many a female counterpart.  In our livelihoods as Eponines, we looked down with disdain at the simple hope of love of Cosette, with also jealousy that the story line of Eponine afforded.  Yet, I now realize that my time as Eponine afforded me the growth to eventually discover the importance of life as Cosette.  

Eponine's unrequited love and heartbreak affords us the understanding and connection with others that have thus experienced.  Furthermore, in not finding union with our beloved, we are forced to unite with the one closest to ourselves, our own selves and discover own inner strength.  In Eponine's journey, she was murdered by the opposing army, yet in that, she found healing dying in the arms of Marius, and was able to be released to an eternity of peace.  We do not need to die physically to find that healing and resolution.  For my own part, my struggles living the pathway of Eponine have led me to the strength that has developed into my ability in falling in love with myself.  In that love for myself, I find the ability to grow beyond the suffering, to overcome, and find peace within.

Therefore, the years of my life living as Eponine were vital in my overall development as a human being and would not trade any for the strength, the understanding of self and love of self developed.  In the suffering of loss and heartbreak, my own version of "A Little Fall Of Rain, in the agony of that, I realized that I could endure on my own, could love myself, persevere, and deepen my sense of self worth in the letting go that would ultimately lead me to my soul's truest love companion.

A Little Fall Of Rain

I don't feel any pain
A little fall of rain
Can hardly hurt me now
You're here, that's all I need to know
And you will keep me safe
And you will keep me close
And rain will make the flowers grow

Thoughts on what you read? How were your Eponine years? What have you learned? Comment below!

The Thriving Artist is a subset of Cafe-Girl Productions, In, a film and media company with the emphasis of raising soul awareness and sense of purpose for empowerment.  Support us at: www.patreon.com/cafegirlproductions

Why We Fall For Romantic Comedy

So, I was scanning through my twitter feed yesterday, specifically on the account reserved for the webseries, Nate & Laura & How They Met, and I came upon a post in honor of Nora Ephron, the writer and screenwriter responsible for a plethora of romantic comedy films of the last century, films such as Sleepless In Seattle, You've Got Mail, and When Harry Met Sally.

I thought how coincidental that I would come across that post when I was deep in the throes of post-production editing for season two of the aforementioned web-series until I realized that I was active on the Nate & Laura twitter account, which due to its romantic comedy theme is connected to a wide array of other accounts with a similar theme.  However, if we cannot see the coincidental synchronicity of life, how can we be aware of the magic?

It spiraled me downwards through my own mind as I pondered the effects of those films and romantic comedies alike on my own psyche, development, and creative endeavors.  For you see, the initial script and season one of Nate & Laura & How They Met came out of my own little mind, season two being co-written with my friend, Erin Rose.  I wondered why I had been so drawn to such a creation and realized that it was the effect of the films watched in my youth, the Hollywood-Mass-Produced love stories that had such a large impact on my life journey and relationships therein.

Whether we care to admit it or not, we all have been influenced by the writings of such films by Nora Ephron and the like, but where did such inspiration come from for her and others of her ilk?  I believe there is a natural instinct within all of us to not only connect but to escape, perhaps even to be rescued.  It could be why Disney has been so widely successful, giving us romance, fantasy, adventure allowing us to escape from the dullness of everyday life

Romantic comedies do that as well.  We cheer, laugh, and cry with our heroes and heroines as they move through their journeys before our lives.  We relate to their inquiries, struggles, self discoveries, and sometimes find insights for our own life and relationship issues.  But, in the final result, life is life and movies are fantasy, we cannot resolve our issues in an hour and a half.  Our journey keeps unwinding itself, in one seemingly pathway forward, bumpy and windy as it may be, the forward movement is therein where we learn and grow, not in the denouement found in a funny flick.

As I look back on the romantic comedies of my youth, I notice a pattern with the talented actresses, such as Meg Ryan, that played in them.  As recent as the eighties and the nineties, actresses in Hollywood were relegated to a certain type of role.  It was the male actor who had the juicy, more dynamic roles and women were left to ponder for the rescue of a male lover.

Today's story-lines for women are shifting and its actresses like Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock that have fought to bridge that gap through the long span of their career.  Once relegated themselves to the romantic comedy roles, they have in recent years been able to delve into deeper, more complex roles that show the wider view of women-kind.  This, in turn, has opened up the range for upcoming women in the film and entertainment industry.

It is with pride that as I edit Nate & Laura & How They Met season two, I see how the changing tides of romantic comedy and its influence on society as a whole has shaped the story-line of my production company's romantic comedy web-series.  The story follows the lives of eight individuals, but season two highlights the relationship and life choices of the four main women, how they love, accept, and uplift one another, instead of tear down.  In short, the love story is thus becoming more between the female friends and not merely from their romantic male counterparts.  

Somebody To Love

We're all good, but we ain't angels
We all sin, but we ain't devils
We're all pots and we're all kettles
But we can't see it in ourselves
We're all livin' 'til we're dying

Tune into watch Nate & Laura & How They Met at: https://www.facebook.com/hownateandlauramet/ and Nate & Laura & How They Met Youtube Channel.

All season one episodes available now with season two coming soon!

We are having a little caption contest fun!  Give us your best idea for the below photo and starting Sunday evening, we will have a social media vote, the best one gets made into a meme!

Add your suggestions on the link below:

Caption Contest Fun!

Follow this blog and share it.  If you like, comment below.  I will do my best to reply.
The Thriving Artist is a subset of Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc, a film and media company with the focus of raising awareness for a variety of social issues.  Support Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc at: www.patreon.com/cafegirlproductions

Good Night 2019, Welcome 2020

So, here we are, 2020. And, now I must take a moment to reflect and officially say good night to 2019.

2019, you were a great year. I learned and I grew so much. Earlier tonight at the labyrinth, I learned with what quiet strength and focus I walk now, each step is deliberate and my eyes look straight ahead with certainty even in the unknown. I have so much and so many to thank for that grace given to me. The times of (now) last year, both positive and negative, have richly strengthened me into a better version of myself, stronger, more capable, not afraid to fail, to lose....

Of the losses, I found gains, a deeper understanding of myself. In truth, throughout many times in 2019, I sat with a younger version of myself, 15, 23, 27, looked deep within her eyes, asked her what she needed, her answer was in some variation of, to be seen, to be heard, to be valued. And, I gave her that. It was the loss of Luke Perry that brought a deeper appreciation of myself, my love for Beverly Hills, 90210 long since a forbidden secret, something I was afraid to admit, but the heartbreak of his death, gave me the determination to reveal. As Tori Spelling said, "maybe going back is what we need to move forward" and as I looked back at that time, I found strength in an unlikely Goddess, I realized how much influence that show had given me in my life and even more so, that of Shannen Doherty. I believe spending time with her version of the Goddess gave me a new deeper appreciation of my power and ability to truly #fightlikeabrenda.

My understanding of self as spiritual deepened through the productions of which I was cast, specifically during the spring months through back to back performances in the Vagina Monologues, season two of Nate & Laura & How They Met, and Dixie Swim Club. Through each of these experiences, I began exploring the true meaning of the Goddess and came even closer to knowing and seeing her in all her variety. For those that shared the stage and screen with me, or who helped bring those stories to life, helped me explore the character's story and make it my own, I thank you from the very bottom of my heart through all of me, you are each a valuable facet of who I am, we are one in spirit forever.

To the characters I was given to live truthfully this year, to my Lexie, thank you for showing me that I do not have to hide any part of myself, or be ashamed of how I looked. Even though much of your life was spent trying to change, what you showed me was that truly what you valued was the inside, what mattered was who a person is at their core, and when it was necessary you were there for those you loved, without needing any fanfare. That was such a great lesson.

To my Laura Shelton, I am honored that you came from above these last two years, through my fingertips, and out onto the computer, then the screen...Its been a journey fulfilling your story, learning the lesson you have to offer...as always to be bold, to be of service to your friends, those you love, and live truthfully in your own power.

To my Tootles, my brave little lost boy who, in the end, wasn't afraid to grow up, you helped me understand a different viewpoint of the Goddess, she as Mother. Thank you for that healing. Toots, off you go to your studies, learn all you can, but never give up your childlike enthusiasm! For the Wendy Lady!!

For my Sick fam, my love for you is forever and eternal. As the song goes, I have loved you for a thousand years and will love you for a thousand more...you have my heart for all of time, never shal that change, and I will always be grateful to each of you for your healing strength helping me to find and fulfill my calling. I would not be where I am today without each of you, nor could I have made it through some very dark times.

For my Drunk Ex Pastors & Patron Friends---what's a little religious trauma among friends, huh? Truly my connection to you has made the pain a little more manageable, a little less existant. Thank you for continually showing me that I am not crazy, that I can laugh about my past self, and move onto a better, happier, healthier version of myself. I truly love you, your Sis Not In Christ, Lia.

For my Neverland fam, I will always be grateful for the adventure we took together, the lust to wander as it were, from those early days of Sunday evening workshops to grueling summer rehearsals stumbling through the newness of immersive theater, to the magical world we created, bringing the childlike discovery back to audiences, helping them to truly realize that they do not ever have to grow up. Nor do we, #nevergrowup.

For the cast of One Of Us, I cannot ever thank you enough for bringing this beloved truth of my life to the 'stage' for the first time. You touched my heart to an inner core and held me heart in place when it bled out the pain and healed.

To my new friends at Awake Cafe, I am so happy to be getting to know you. You never fail to bring a smile to my face. I love your enthusiasm and passion for life and your creativity. I look forward to more creative conversations and collaborations in 2020.

For my co-producers in crime, West, Erin, Michael, thank you for your patience, your graciousness, your listening and advice, encouragement, and mostly for your love...it has sustained me and given me the strength I need to persevere. I got you as you got me!

For Michael,I know this year has been transitional and difficult at times. Thank you for the patience and for being humble in your healing and grief. You will endure, your life does matter and have worth.

For my twin flame, that is how I address you because that is who you are and you know this. I am ever so grateful you returned to me this last year, walked into that library room that evening in January as I entered a cafe so long ago...I see now the whole point of our time at the cafe was you...even as we were separated all these years, we never really were, nor shall we ever be. It is a force deeper than either of us that pulls and binds us together, a magical entity that guides us again and again back to each other. Welcome home, my flame, welcome back to another facet of yourself. Do I know what the future will hold? I do not, but one thing is certain, our paths will ever be mingled and connected, of that I can rest assured. I love you as my own being and my own soul, for that you are. Love is not a fiery blast that overwhelms, but truly a slow smolder that never burns or fades. Once again, I am grateful I no longer have to live without you anymore.

Lastly, I thank Goddess and God for revealing the dimensions of themselves to me. For continually helping me to journey deeper and deeper within, to the true contentment of my heart that is my real home. New layers of this understanding keep unfolding as I heal and grow, finding more and more peace and focus.

Good Night, 2019. Welcome 2020! Together, let's focus & see our true power & purpose unfold.

You by A Great Big World

www.cafegirlproductions.com

www.patreon.com/cafegirlproductions